The purpose of this RFI is to solicit input for a potential future ARPA-E research and development program focused on development of materials and device technologies to support advances in grid resiliency and reliability. ARPA-E seeks input from power electronics, optoelectronics, photonics, and other related communities regarding the development and demonstration of next-generation ultra-fast semiconductor devices (potentially light controlled/triggered) for enhanced resiliency and reliability of power electronics systems ranging from kilowatts to gigawatts of power. Consistent with the agency’s mission, ARPA-E is seeking clearly disruptive, novel technologies, early in the R&D cycle, and not integration strategies for existing technologies.
ARPA-E desires input from a broad range of disciplines and fields, including, but not limited to power electronics, photonics, optoelectronics, optical science and microsystems, electrical engineering, circuit design, wide-bandgap and ultra-wide-bandgap materials, semiconductor devices, packaging, module, gate drive design, and others. This includes input from the developers and end-users of such technologies, such as automotive, data centers, solar and wind-interface converter systems, electric motor-driven systems, high/medium voltage transmission/distribution, rail/ship propulsion, HVDC/FACTS, and many others. ARPA-E is particularly interested in how light-triggered, ultra-wide bandgap semiconductors can help U.S. to realize more reliable, resilient, and efficient systems.
This RFI is focused on potential solutions at material/device/module level rather than circuit or system topology development and integration, although system context is desirable.
THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. THIS NOTICE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT (FOA). NO FOA EXISTS AT THIS TIME.
Respondents shall not include any information in their response to this RFI that might be considered proprietary or confidential.
Responses to this RFI should be submitted in PDF format to the email address ARPA-E-RFI@hq.doe.gov by 5:00 PM Eastern Time on 9/9/2022.